If you missed your kid's parents' night because you were on a term time holiday, would you expect the teacher to allow another appointment when you return?

[Purpleturtle46]

Just that really. Parents night same week every year and parents informed 2 months in advance.

YABU-yes the teacher should arrange to see you at an alternative time on your return.

YANBU-no, you booked and holiday and missed it so that's on you!

Why? It’s the parents responsibility to send their children to school in term time. Why should you offer your free time to see parents when they can’t make themselves available.

I doubt they realise you have a life.

I haven't broached it yet 🤣. Ignoring them at the moment and will see if they ask when they get back.

"Dear parents, I don't feel we need to meet in person. Johnny is behind his peers because you keep taking him on term time holidays. In order for Johnny to catch up you need to stop taking him on term time holidays. The end.

No

Separated or divorced parents I always gave separate appointments but on the same night. Parents taking their children on holiday absolutely not, that’s their choice.

how did they ask?

In my opinion (as a separated parent) other than in the case of abuse/violence etc each child has one appt. Parents should be able to be civil to each other for 10 minutes for their childs sake.

Oopsie daisy. Pressed the wrong button in the poll. YANBU. (Unless it's private and the parents are paying £££s)

Yes, in those cases we would provide 2 appointments. Otherwise there are 2 parents nights a year so one can come one and one to the other if you can't be in the same room for 10 mins IMO.

I think its a bit of a cheek.

But I sort of think if it's in the child's interests to have parents know the information you might have to offer a phone appointment at some time that works for you.

I've only worked in an infant school and parents could ask for a quick catch up any time they liked really. The teacher would call back with a week or so or chat briefly at pick up.

Separated parents have every right to separate appointments.
Do you expect abused women (&men) to sit with their abuser just to save you 10 minutes?

Not sure exactly, the message came via to office.

No!! 😂

No!

You make it to parents evening or you don't get the chat about your kid. That's the deal.
I also think parents who have split should be able to be amicable enough for five minutes to share an appointment same as parents still together do. So that's not teachers problem either... Unless one was abusive to the other, then it would make sense in the child's interests.

No if they have taken a term-time holiday.
Separated parents? Two appointments of course. We don’t know the ins and outs at all and can’t assume.

The vast majority of separated parents are not due to abuse. Of course in those circumstances allowances would be made. If not then one parent could come each of the parents nights over the year.

Yes, because it's in the best interests of the child, who has no choice in either the dates or the holiday.

If it's just "little Jonny is fine" that can be done by email!

surely there will be a school policy on this?

Well, to be fair, a holiday is usually booked more than 2 months in advance. Parents evening at our school is not on one evening and we have to give two options of when we are available over a month so I don't think this issue would arise.
However, my DC don't go to a UK school and the attitude is not quite as unaccommodating as British schools seem to be, the emphasis is more on the child's accomplishments rather than regimented/exam results. Here, I would expect the teacher to contact me if there is an issue, not just wait until parents evening.
I would expect if the parents notified the teacher they wouldn't be there as soon as the reminder went out, that they would at least get the relevant updates via phone call.
I would expect there to be leeway for circumstances e.g. if the holiday is to visit elderly family/funeral/celebration then a parents evening would be offered when everyone is back.

Absolutely not!

No. Teachers already give up enough of their own time for prep, marking, reports, etc.
I once had to cancel a parents' night appointment at very short notice after my DF had a heart attack late the previous night and I had to drive 2 hours to be with him. I asked the teacher if I could rearrange for a time that suited her and she saw me after school a week or two later. I would never expect a teacher to rearrange if I had taken my DC on holiday.

I would try and get a quick phone call in or a 5 minute chat at the end of school one night. I don't think it's an unreasonable request to be honest.

Our school policy is usually dictated by the mood the head teacher is in 🙄. Sometimes it will be allowed and sometimes not!